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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico · Tropical

Puerto Vallarta in December: go or not?

Excellent time. Puerto Vallarta in December scores 9.0/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 20.65°N · 105.23°W
⚡ This month's verdict
Go for it
Puerto Vallarta · December
9.0
19–27°
Temperature
6%
Rain
8h
Sun
🌴 Tropical☀️ High UV🌧️ Monsoon season
Photo : Alan Serna via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in December

December is peak dry season in Puerto Vallarta. The air is warm and humidity more bearable than in the rainy season. Rain is virtually absent (6.0% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. This is one of the best times of year to visit Puerto Vallarta.

December ranks 4 out of 12 months in Puerto Vallarta. Compared to November: −4°F daytime.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

UV index
6 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
muggy at times
19°
Sea
27°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
10.8h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 32
Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Puerto Vallarta is April (9.5/10), 0.5 pt higher than December.

See April →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Puerto Vallarta is the chic beach resort of the Mexican Pacific coast: Sierra Madre Occidental plunging into the sea, 250,000 inhabitants. April is my favorite month (9.5/10): 64-81°F, 0% rain, sea at 75°F, ideal temperatures before the hot summer.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay
Hotels & rentals · Puerto Vallarta
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Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Puerto Vallarta

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Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.

Country · Mexico

🗣️LanguageSpanish
💶CurrencyMexican Peso ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 88°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 79°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘAugust · 85%

🏝️ Tropical stay

🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore

Other destinations in December

If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate
BissauGuinea-BissauMumbaiIndiaVaranasiIndiaAbujaNigeriaHampiIndia
Nearby
GuanajuatoMexico415 kmSan Miguel de AllendeMexico468 kmCabo San LucasMexico544 kmMexico CityMexico651 km
Other top picks
Marsa AlamEgypt9.1Cape VerdeCape Verde8.8HurghadaEgypt8.8Sharm el-SheikhEgypt8.8PeruPeru8.6
← NovemberJanuary →
🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map
Location

Where is Puerto Vallarta ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Mexico
Tropical climate with a 9.5 → 4.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
20.65°N · 105.23°W
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
April is the best month with 81°F highs, 64°F lows, 9.3h of sunshine and 0.0% rainy days. The months of April & May offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Puerto Vallarta get in April?
Puerto Vallarta averages 9.3 sunshine hours per day in April. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.2/10.
What is the rainiest month in Puerto Vallarta?
August is the most unfavourable month with August has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Puerto Vallarta in April?
In April, overnight lows reach 64°F, while afternoon highs average 81°F.
Is Puerto Vallarta good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Puerto Vallarta scores 8.6/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains April with a score of 9.2/10.
When should you avoid Puerto Vallarta?
August is the most difficult month to visit Puerto Vallarta, with August has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Puerto Vallarta in December?
In December, the sea averages 80°F in Puerto Vallarta: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Puerto Vallarta in December?
The average UV index reaches 6 in December in Puerto Vallarta (moderate), with about 10.8h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.